another reason to turn off the tele

Without the help of commercials, your child’s Christmas wish list might resemble this:

1. My own gum, and I can decide who gets a piece.

2. Stickers. Lots of stickers.

3. Princess paints.

4. A notebook for my princess paints.

5. Two snow buckets and two snow shovels, one for me and one for you.

6. A printer. {Ava, we already have two printers}. My own printer, so I can print stuff. I’ll write it down. It’s starts with a “P.”

7. Candy canes, and then I can eat them when I want to.

8. Crafts.

9. Polka-dot paper.

10. Books!

11. And a new pair of pink, sparkle boots from the special boot store.

And if you don’t where the special boot store is, she just might draw you a map.

(The building on the left is our house and the building on the right is the special boot store. All the squiggles are the “take a left,” “go south” and “turn right” instructions. Hungryman added the compass so that I won’t get lost.)

I am thankful that Anja has no idea who any TV characters are yet. People occasionally ask me “Is she into Dora?” or things like that. I’m like, “Seriously, people, she’s 16 months! She’s not even allowed to watch TV yet!”

But yes, creativity abounds when one isn’t tied to the box. I loved Ava’s list.

Rachel, this is a great Christmas list! I wish I was getting some princess paints and a notebook especially for my princess paints. I would also enjoy polka dot paper and lots of stickers – so why does my list have boring things on it like “gift cards to home stores” and “dressy black scarf”?

This reminds me of something funny. Miles has never seen Dora or Diego but he was given a pillowcase with Diego on it and LOVES it. He thinks all there is to Diego is that he’s got a big smile and he’s nice to sleep on. I love it.

until her uncle lets her play Pole Position on his iPhone. Then she asks for an iPhone all for herself. That’s when its handy that they don’t believe in Santa, “Sorry honey, mommy and daddy don’t have money for an iPhone for themselves, so you definitely won’t be getting an iPhone. You’re six, here’s a tutu and hairbows.”